Could have led people to love, instead of
Hating people different than you—people like me.
Against all odds, I have not turned to such hate.
Relationships, diverse and wide, have helped that.
Losing you sucks, even though I despise your worldview.
In order for me to not be you, I will love you—forgive you—
Even though I will never like you, nor follow your way.
© 2025 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
Tittu
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Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Offline) - Published: September 16th, 2025 07:35
- Comment from author about the poem: This acrostic is not written to soften Charlie Kirk’s memory or excuse the damage his words left behind. He championed ideas that divided and diminished others, and naming that truth matters. Still, I cannot deny his humanity, even when I reject his worldview. Empathy is the act of remembering that every life is complex, that grief touches even those with whom we fiercely disagree. To acknowledge that is not to condone or absolve — it is to resist becoming hardened by the same hate we oppose. Poetry, at its best, holds us in that tension and it does not let us off the hook. This piece does not excuse Charlie, and it does not offer comfort. It certainly does not celebrate his death nor the actions of his murderer; rather, It simply holds together empathy and forgiveness, even in the shadow of a life that often denied both.
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 32
- Users favorite of this poem: rebellion_in_sanity, Teddy.15, Salvia.S
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Comments10
A mature view that can never condone cutting off freedom of speech by killing the speaker that is the higher value despite how we feel about the speech itself. Some people become the evil they fight and fighting fire with fire leaves the whole building burnt. Very nicely done Tristan
Soren, your words resonate…indeed. We have to do better in promoting open, civil, dialog. Hating someone who hates makes one a hater, as I see it and does nothing to change anything. I’m grateful for your thoughtful reflection. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Always a pleasure Tristan
Don't know about that, Tristan - The murder was wrong, but now that he is gone it would be good to forget him - with some relief.
Wish I could do an acrostic - if I could find a subject worthy of the effort you put into that one.
I hear you. I wish we could forget him too, Dave…yet I already see others ready to rise in his place. That’s the danger...his words don’t end with him. Grateful for your honesty here, my friend. 🏳️⚧️🕊️🖤🙏
A brilliant poem. Humane, empathetic, yet unwavering on the moral stance. I wouldn't diminsh it's impact with a mere 'loved it'. Let me say- I respected it.
Beautifully said. I’m glad the balance of empathy and moral stance resonated…it’s a hard line to hold. Thank you for your respect, my friend. 🏳️⚧️🕊️🖤🙏
Way to empathize and still dance with your own feelings. I find it very strange that the people who are mourning his death is wanting the death penalty for the one who committed the crime… it just never makes sense to me. Still all life has value… today I lost my beta fish… sigh
Demar, I appreciate your words…calling out the contradiction, reminding us all life has value. And I’m sorry about your fish...sad to hear. Thank you, again, my friend. 🏳️⚧️🕊️🖤🙏
Brilliant write.
A great poem of values....
Thank you, Priya!!! Much appreciated! 🏳️⚧️🕊️🖤🙏
I liked your poem. I agree with much of your main poi t also. Please dont forget though that ecery human being deservs to have their own opinions. His death is trajic and hostile. It et again proves the confusion a.d mental processes of a society that renders the heart only to the money and increase in capaplist ideolgy. However imperfect our best is. Live and let live. That always been my philosophy. Nice write.
RSM, I really appreciate your words. You’re right...every human being deserves their own opinions, and his loss of life is tragic. I have not forgot that, but, at the same time, I can’t ignore how many lives were negatively shaped and/or harmed, because of the reach his ideology had. That’s where the complication sits for me...grieving a life, yet also grieving the harm done by that life and in his name. It’s sad that hate found such a resonant voice, and equally sad that another’s hate took his life. Thank you for reading and engaging, my friend. 🏳️⚧️🕊️🖤🙏
My pleasure
Sorry bout all the typos
This--this is it. It's not that I agreed with all he said, but often he was kind, and understanding. There were times where he wasn't, perhaps several, but the celebration of his death is where I can turn against my own.
🥷, I hear you…and he was a complicated figure, one of whom did not agree with on much; but yes...celebrating his death is something I cannot do either. It's wrong and it does not elevate anyone to the moral high ground, that is for sure; rather, it fuels the same hate. I am so glad that the poem delivered and that you felt it handled the topic appropriately. 🏳️⚧️🕊️🖤🙏
Yes, very well done.
You are a kind poet 🌹
Awww. I try. Seriously, your words mean a lot…to be called kind, in the face of such division, is a gift. Thank you for seeing that in me, my friend. 🏳️⚧️🕊️🖤🙏 Thank you for being a kind poet too! 🌹
The poem revolves around the tension between love and hate, particularly in the context of differing worldviews. The speaker grapples with the pain of losing someone while simultaneously rejecting their hateful perspectives. The poet matter addresses themes of acceptance, forgiveness, and the struggle to maintain love in the face of ideological differences
Beautifully said. You captured the heart of it well...the loss, the rejection of hate, and the harder work of forgiveness. Thank you for this reflection. 🏳️⚧️🕊️🖤🙏
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